SRINAGAR, SEPT 29: National Conference president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday attended the proceedings of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from the Speaker’s Gallery as the House entered the sixth day of its ongoing autumn session.
Dr Farooq was seen observing the proceedings as legislators took up various issues and participated in discussions on matters concerning the people and administration of Jammu and Kashmir. His presence in the gallery came amid a politically eventful session that has witnessed intense exchanges between treasury and opposition benches.
The former Chief Minister, who is currently the president of the National Conference but is not a member of the Legislative Assembly, had earlier chaired the party’s legislature meeting ahead of the autumn session.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and legislators, where the legislative agenda and issues to be raised during the session were discussed.
The ongoing session began on September 21 and was scheduled as a seven-sitting session. The provisional calendar included government business, private members’ bills and resolutions, with government business scheduled for September 29 and 30.
Dr Farooq’s appearance in the Speaker’s Gallery also comes a day after the Assembly passed a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The resolution was passed by voice vote amid protests and a walkout by BJP legislators.
The statehood resolution referred to earlier resolutions passed by the House in 2000 and 2024. The reference to the 2000 resolution is particularly significant as that resolution, concerning greater autonomy, was passed during Dr Farooq Abdullah’s tenure as Chief Minister. BJP members objected to its inclusion, while the ruling side maintained its position on the restoration of full statehood.
Tuesday’s proceedings continued against the backdrop of the previous day’s disruptions, including BJP protests inside the House over the statehood resolution and its objections to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather’s handling of the proceedings.
Dr Farooq remained in the Speaker’s Gallery as the House continued its deliberations, marking his presence during a session that has so far focused on a range of legislative, governance and public-interest matters.
